John Bostock was courted by the world's biggest football clubs.,,,
‘Wonderkid’ John Bostock had the football world at his feet – but offered to give it all up for God.
The former Spurs, Crystal Palace and England U16, U17 and U19 prodigy became a Christian while still a teenager, and everything changed.
“I gave my life to Jesus when I was 16. I didn’t grow up in a Christian household. My whole life was built upon me as a footballer.
“But when I came to know Jesus, I realised I’m actually a Christian who plays football, and so my gift was to be used in a way that glorified God rather than myself.
“I left Spurs when I was 21. I said to the Lord, ‘If you want me to finish football and become a full-time minister, I will’.”
Bostock felt God tell him not to make what would have been a huge sacrifice for a central midfielder courted by the world’s biggest clubs.
“You name the club, I had interest from them,” he told the BBC. “Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool. When I was 14, Barcelona offered a 10-year contract.”
Early promise turned into a career blighted by the arrival of expensive foreign signings, such as Luka Modric at Spurs. Bostock rebuilt his career playing in France, Turkey and Belgium, before returning to England.
He now plays for Doncaster, where the 30-year-old’s League One passing accuracy was a remarkable 87 per cent this season. He’s also the founder of the Ballers in God podcast.
